The final chapter of the 2018-19 regular season is upon us. The trade deadline has passed and teams will now not receive any external help on their journey for the Stanley Cup. No more “looking for depth forward” or “searching for puck-moving defenseman.” As the day started there were plenty of contenders, but only a handful really went out of their way to improve.
The Islanders for instance, who are currently leading the Metropolitan Division with a record of 36-18-7, have not made a single trade since early July 2018. Instead, GM Lou Lamoriello and head coach Barry Trotz must believe this group can lead them all the way. The same could be said for the Tampa Bay Lightning, who decided not to pay the high prices for rentals and instead put their trust in the exceptional roster they’ve already built.
But that’s not to say there weren’t winners yesterday. The Nashville Predators turned Kevin Fiala and Ryan Hartman into Mikael Granlund and Wayne Simmonds, betting experience is more useful to them than youth right now. The Winnipeg Jets once again added a second line center to their group in addition to several more minor moves, while the Vegas Golden Knights landed the top name available.
Some teams did their shopping in the days leading up to the actual deadline. The Columbus Blue Jackets didn’t wait around for a last second bidding war, instead acquiring Matt Duchene and Ryan Dzingel early. Gustav Nyquist found himself on his way to the San Jose Sharks late Sunday night to join in their search for the Cup.
So who was the biggest winner? Who improved their team the most, if we take the last week into account? Cast your vote below and explain why in the comments.
[Mobile users click here to vote]
Stara tried
I’m a biased Blue Jackets fan, but I think they definitely improved the most, at least in terms of pure talent. Whether it’ll be worth it down the line is a different debate, but at the least they added a lot of talent for the stretch run. (The poll also didn’t mention that they got Kinkaid, but then again if he plays more than rarely it’ll be an issue.)
I say Boston. Columbus got more great players, but Boston got the pieces they needed. the chemistry will get better in Boston
Blue Jackets improved the most but they also gave up the most and their window is this season. If they don’t win it this year they’ll lose Panarin and Bobo and likely will be major sellers at the trade deadline. Major gamble.
@unfazed Marcus Johanssen could be better than Walter White with the chemistry. Its not even comparable to adding Duchene and Dzingle.
Vancouver, lol. Got rid of Gudbranson
Columbus by their acquisitions and by keeping Panarin.
Columbus for THIS year only – at the cost of a major blow in years to come. So does that mean they did the best? Debatable
Vegas. While I agree Columbus may have got the most pure talent, the Knights got the best player available, got him locked up to an extension, and didnt really give up all that much (great prospect but less than the original ask from ottawa was).
I dont think many NHL fans outside Ottawa truly understands Mark Stone’s potential impact but he will fit in nicely with this Vegas team as long as he can keep up speed wise over 60.